Page 15 of Accepting Fate
I reach my truck at the back of the parking lot, and I’m tempted to run back in there and ask for her number.
Looking back at the hospital, I talk myself out of it. I could wait around and see if she is still here but judging by how much she didn’t believe that I wasn’t Lily and Alana’s abuser, I think she may be more freaked out than flattered.
Unlocking the door to my truck, I get in and sag against the leather seat. Scrubbing my hand down my face I take a moment to calm myself and get my emotions under control.
Thankfully by the time Alana and Lily were squared away, the police were ready to question me. Landon had already informed them, and I was let go rather quickly.
Turning the truck on, I drive away from the hospital and steal one last glance just in case Logan is still here.
What is it about this girl that has my head spinning? It can’t be how she acted with Lily because I’ve dropped off many little ones at the hospital and never even looked twice at the nurses.
Maybe it was the way she sat with me in the hallway and showed me a side of her that wasn’t completely put together.
I have a pretty good idea what it is. It was the way that a simple brush of her arm or the feeling of her hand in mine sent sparks all over my body. I felt like damn fireworks were going off on every inch of my skin. I have never felt like that with anyone. Ever.
Unfortunately, I can think of no valid excuse that wouldn’t make me look like a complete creep to go back and ask to see her. I never wish for missions, but I am now because I am determined to see that beautiful green-eyed girl again. And the next time I do, I will make sure it isn’t the last.
Pulling into The Hideout, I see Wes standing outside looking at the sunrise in the distance. Wes may think he hides his emotions, but I can see the hurt and rage he holds in after missions. Sometimes he disappears for days and others he sits outside for hours on end. I think the sounds and smells of the forest calm him and bring him back to reality. That’s what they do for me at least.
I hop out of the truck and head towards the door. Wes will come in when he’s ready. He’s going to be on this mission for days torturing the asshole so no one bothers him when he needs a minute.
Walking in, I find Noah nursing a beer at the table silently while Landon is typing away on his laptop. The two look up at me as I take a seat . They are both dressed in different clothes which leads me to believe the mission got messy after I took off.
Landon shuts his laptop and leans back in his chair, “Lily and Alana squared away?”
“Yup. Lily has two pink casts and no major issues besides lack of food and dehydration. Alana is stable. They thought she had a broken leg but it was a bad sprain so she will be in a splint for a few weeks. They are keeping them there for a few days and then they will be free to go home with Alana’s dad. He showed up right after Lily got her casts on. Alana said to tell you thank you and that she hopes the asshole has a long painful punishment.”
Noah nods, “He sure as fuck will.”
I look to Landon for an explanation. Noah is basically useless after missions. He drinks, hooks up with a random chick from the bar, and then picks one of us to go on a long as fuck hike with him and lets it all out on the way up the mountain. I don’t mind his coping mechanism. I love hiking and I will always be here for my brother.
“The old man confessed that he was the asshole’s dad. Asshole threatened to kill him if he didn’t help him with Lily and Alana. He claims eventually he became so involved he forgot how wrong it was.”
“You actually believed that?” I question.
“Not for a second. He was just trying to get off easy. He was the guy’s dad, but I think it’s deeper than that. I didn’t care enough to ask because I wanted to get the asshole talking. Noah got trigger-happy and killed the father right in front of his son which was enough to get him talking.” Taking a deep breath and shaking his head, “Assface said that he and Alana had met at a meeting with a small clinic the pharmaceutical company was looking to partner with. She was the receptionist and he asked her out. She said yes and when she didn’t want to go home with him, he got pissed. He said he,” Landon pauses to make air quotes with his fingers, “gently grabbed her arm.”
“Yeah right,” I say under my breath.
Landon continues, “Alana reacted and punched him in the nose and ran away. He said his mom taught him to never let anyone one-up him. I guess this was justification to stalk her. He found out where she lived and when Lily and Alana got home one night he was waiting in the garage and took them at gunpoint. He punished them daily and used Alana in ways I don’t want to repeat.”
This fucking guy deserves to be in the furthest depths of hell possible.
“He claims he didn’t do anything but beat Lily when Alana refused to give him what he wanted. I was hoping the hospital report would prove that piece to be true.”
I had a feeling that was what happened, but I didn’t think the guy would admit it. I guess he had nothing better to do than divulge everything. He knew his death was imminent.
Landon and Noah stare at me waiting to see if I have any clarification on the situation. “Alana was asked in private if there was any reason to have STD testing done on both of them and she said just her, so I think he’s telling the truth.”
“Thank fucking God. Those two went through enough. The last thing they needed was to add that to the trauma they will carry for the rest of their lives.” Landon says.
Noah and I just nod, waiting for him to finish.
“Alright so from here they will be with Alana’s dad. The police have the investigation closed and when dickhead's death becomes public it will be written off as self-defense. Both of them will have a therapist waiting and available for them when they are ready. They will be set up with enough to get them through the next six months and Alana’s dad ensured that he will take care of the rest of their expenses for as long as they need. I told him to call me if he needs help. But I don’t think he will. He paid half a million to find them and I just got an email saying he sent another hundred thousand over to ensure a very painful death for the asshole. I’ll send over your shares when the checks clear. Anything anyone has to say or need? If not, everyone is free to go.”
Noah and I stand and get up from the table. I walk towards the door to start cleaning out my truck when Noah grabs my arm. I turn and look at him to find tears welling in his eyes. I act on instinct and wrap my hand around the back of his head bringing him into me for a hug. His body starts to shake as his arms wrap around me. Noah is an emotional guy, but he has never done this before.
When he pulls away, I ask, “You good?” Concern lacing my voice.